AMHERST – The Select Board on Monday agreed to send a letter to the state asking that a Boston developer be allowed to bring its proposal a mixed-use project featuring 130 apartments in North Amherst to the Zoning Board of Appeals for review. That support came despite vocal criticism expressed at the meeting.
The board vote unanimously to send a letter later this week to the Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program of the Department of Housing and Community Development stating that Beacon Communities Development of Boston should be allowed to seek a comprehensive permit under the state statute, known as Chapter 40B, promoting affordable housing and allowing developers to circumvent certain municipal zoning restrictions.
“It is the Select Board’s position that Beacon should continue to work with the town to refine its proposal and that the Select Board recommends that this project is suitable for a project eligibility letter from DHCD,” the draft letter reads.
Officials with the state agency will decide whether the 150,000-square-foot project, known as North Square at the Mill District and proposed for 5.3 acres of land that formerly was the site of a sawmill Cowls Road, is eligible for tax credits. Of the 130 apartments, 26 would be set aside for households earning at or below 50 percent of the area median income.
Select Board member Andrew Steinberg said there is tremendous need for new revenue in town, and that between the residential component and 22,000 square feet of commercial space, the project would bringnew growth resulting in new taxes totaling $361,000.
“The only way we can increase revenue without increasing the tax rate through an override is through new growth,” Steinberg said.
Select Board member Constance Kruger said she appreciates the variety of housing the project would offer.
“I don’t see this project as inappropriately using the zoning tool available to them,” Kruger said.
The draft letter makes recommendations to improve the proposal, adding more green space and more buffering from surrounding homes and making infrastructure improvements to slow traffic and improve pedestrian safety.
Since the comment period on the project opened earlier this month, the Select Board received several letters from residents expressing support and opposition. These will go to the state office as an attachment to the Select Board’s letter.
The board also took additional oral comments at the meeting, with James Steinberg of 115 Montague Road arguing that the use of the Chapter 40B is a ruse to get dense development, observing that the town already meets the state-mandated goal of at least 10 percent affordable housing.
Melissa Perot, of 12 Summer St., called the proposed project a “fiasco.” Perot said the scale would be devastating to have in the midst of two-story, single-family homes.
No amenities for families and children raises concerns for Vincent O’Connor, of 175 Summer St.
“This is not a child or family-friendly site plan,” O’Connor said.
But Peter Jessop, of 120 Pulpit Hill Road and a member of the Amherst Housing Authority, said the project advances goals and needs of the town’s master plan.
“In my view, this could be a great boon to the neighborhood,” Jessop said.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
